File folder



Jan. 24,1933. c. SHONTS 1,895,174

FILE FOLDER Filed Sept. 5, 19 29 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 L- C. SHONTS Jan. 24, 1933.

FILE FOLDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 3, 1929 L. C. SHONTS FILE FOLDER Jan. 24, 1933.

Filed Sept. 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 L. C. SHONTS FILE FOLDER Jan. 24, 1933.

Filed Sept. 3, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 24, 1933 LEROY C. SHONTS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FILE FOLDER Application filed September 8, 1929. Serial No. 389,951.

This invention relates to a file folder for holding legal papers securely in an orderly manner and in such a position that they can be conveniently examined without belng removed from the folder. The invention is 11- lustrated as it is used for holding the papers of an attorneys file of a patent applicatlon. It may be used with equal facility for pleadings in litigation and for other legal matters, but it is particularly applicable for patent applications.

An attorneys file of a patent application usually includes a certain amount of correspondence, a copy of the description of the invention with amendments thereto, prints of the drawings, copies of the oflice actions, copies of the patents cited against the application, and miscellaneous papers such as notes, sketches, blueprints, etc., that vary 1n each case. In some cases these papers are placed loosely in a file folder, but more often the specification is attached to a flap on the file folder and the succeeding ofiice actions and amendments to the specification are 5 placed on top of the original specification in chronological order, the drawings, correspondence, patents cited, and miscellaneous papers being loose in the file and generally in a state of confusion. After a specification has been amended a few times it is often a tedious matter, when the actions and amendments are on top of one another, to refer to a particular part of a particular oflice action and then find the place in the specification to which the remark in the oifice action is directed, as this remark is sometimes directed to matter that may have been amended or to an amendment and the papers have to be thumbed over several times until the proper page is located. In the meantime the office action may have been temporarily lost so that after the proper part of the specification is found the attorney will have to look for the office action again.

In some cases attempts have been made to separate the papers by attaching them to flaps some of which are on the edges of the folder, but when this is done the folder will often flop apart when moved near the edge of a desk or table. The folder may tear and some of the loose papers will fall out. The same difliculty is encountered with pleadings in law suits and with other legal papers and the same state of confusion usually exists in the files. The present invention is directed to a solution of this problem and it comprehends the provision of a file that will hold the papers securely in position in such a manner that they will not fall out and in such order that when the file is opened the papers are .conveniently arranged for examination.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved file folder for holding legal papers.

A more particular object is to provide an improved file folder that will hold legal papers securely in position and in such order that when the file folder is open the papers will be in a convenient position to be examined.

A further object is to provide a folder that will hold the papers near the center portion thereof instead of near the edges so that the folder will not flop apart by the weight of the papers themselves.

A still further object is to provide a folder that will not only hold papers securely in convenient position, but will provide a space for loose papers so that they may be put in the file in such a manner that they will not easily fall out. i

A still further object is to provide a file of the class described that can be easily and inexpensively made, yet one that will be durable and convenient for filing in the ordinary filing cabinets found in legal ofiices.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will'appear from the following'specification and drawings.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are perspective views of the three pieces used to make the file folder.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an assembled tile folder, some of the parts being cut away to show others more clearly and the file being shown in open condit1on.-

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the folder I in open position with a set of papers attached thereto.

trating a. mod ed form of a portion of the folder.

Fig. 11 is a partial sectional detail of a modification of another portion of the folder.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a modification in the construction of one of the flaps of the folder.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of another modification 1n the construction of the folder.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another modification.

As will later appear, the folder may be made in several different Ways, but its general features can be explained most easily by first describing the preferred method of constructing it.

Referring to Fig. 1, the main portion of the folder is made out of a substantially rectan lar sheet of stifl, tough paper, a heavy, sti good quality of manila paper being suitable. This sheet is scored along the line 10 to form an outer cover 11 and along the line 12 to form an inner cover 13 with a main body or center portion 14 between the two cover portions. The inner cover 13 is scored on two other lines, 15 and 16, for purposes that will later appear. In cutting out the sheet, two flaps 17 and 18 are left on the ends of the center portion 14, the paper being scored on the lines- 19 so that the flaps 17 and 18 can be be easily folded over the center portion.

The second piece used in the folder is made out of the same material as the first and it comprises a rectangular sheet 20 scored along the line 21 to provide a flap 22 on its righthand edge, the latter being provided with three holes 23 spaced standard distances apart for three-hole side binding of papers. These holes are preferably reinforced by brass eyelets so that the fl-ap will not tear when papers are fastened to it. The sheet 20 is also scored along the lines 24 and 25 to provide a lefthand side flap 26 having three holes 27 in it which are also spaced apart the standard distance referred to.

The third piece that goes into the folder is made of the same material as the first two and it is likewise substantially rectangular in shape. It comprises a relatively narrow body 30 scored along the lines 31 and 32 to provide a flap 33 havlng three holes 34 spaced for standard three-opening side binding and reinforced by brass eyelets. It also has two holes 35 s aced apart for standard two-opening bindmg, the holes 35 also being reinforced by eyelets.

It will be noted that there is very little waste in cutting out the three pieces that make up the folder as they are almost rectangular. A slight waste may occur on the ends of the covers 11 and' l3 because of flaps 17 and 18 although thismay be saved by proper cutting when the piecesare made in quantity. The corners that are cut off the flaps are wasted, but the amount of material so cut off isnegligible.

These three pieces are assembled together as illustrated in F ig. 4. The sheet 20 with its 5 side flaps 22 and 26 is fitted over the center portion 14 of the main cover. Two flaps 17 and 18 of the main cover are folded over the ends of the sheet 20 and pasted securely to it. These flaps 17 and 18 not only secure the sheet 20 to the main cover, but they'also prevent the corners of the flaps 22 and 26 from tearing as it will be observed that the ends of the flaps 17 and 18 extendalmost into engagement with the flaps 22 and 26, the ends of flaps 17 and 18 being purposely left square so as to fit closely to secure the reinforcing action referred to. The narrow member 30 is then slipped under the left-hand edge of the sheet 20 and the parts are fastened together near the ends of the folder by rivets 36 and 37 which extend through the sheet 20, 'the member 30 and the center portion 14 of the main cover. These rlvets not only serve to hold the parts together, but they also act to close the rear end of the pocket 38 that is formed between the sheet 20 and the center portion 14. This pocket is open at the right hand side for the receipt of loose papers. By placing the rivets 36 and 37 at the proper distances from the ends of the folder they tend to hold the lefthand edge of the sheet 20 firmly in place against the center portion 14, the action being such that it has been found unnecessary to close the left-hand side of the pocket as loose papers will rarely, if ever, slip through.

When the parts are thus assembled a pocket 15 provided between the sheet 20 and the center portion 14 for the receipt of loose copies of patents, sketches, blueprints, etc. Three flaps are also provided, namely 22, 2G and 33, all of which have openings for the receipt of fasteners for attaching papers to the flaps. It will be noted that the flaps to which papers are to be attached are on the inside of the cover toward its center and not on the out- '4 ing a flat head on one end and two flexible shanks that may be bent laterally after the fastener is inserted through a hole in a group of papers. The specification is attached to the underside of the flap and the fasteners 1 are put in from the top so that amendments amendment face downward on top of the last sheet of the specification with the pre-punched holes in the amendment over the fasteners, and bend the fasteners back to position. The papers may then be turned back to the Fig. 5 position where the specification will be on top and the amendments will follow in the order in which they are attached. It will be observed that this places the specification and amendments in book form, that is, the pages of the specification may be turned and read in the same manner as a book. The edge of the flap 26 forms a straight line edge over which the sheets may be folded, this edge making it easy to fold the sheets over neatly as they are being read. The two scoring lines 24 and 25 are spaced apart a distance such that the flap 26 will occupy a substantially horizontal position when aquantity of the papers are attached to its under side. It has been found that a spacing of about onequarter inch is sufl'icient in most cases. This spacing is a little too large for an extremely meager specification and not large enough for an unusually bulky one but it will take 95 per cent of the applications. It will, of course, accommodate the meager ones even though the spacing is a little too great. It will also accommodate most of the extra large specifications though with such specifications the flap is not horizontal when in its Fig. 5 position. Instead it slopes upward over the thick group of papers. Of course, if required, a greater spacing between the scoring lines 24 and 25 can be provided and a set of file folders for unusually large specifications can be fabricated, the construction herein illustrated and described being that which is suitable for the average specification.

The drawings that go with the specification, which are usually in the form of prints, are preferably attached to the top side of the flap 33 as it is illustrated in Fig. 5, the drawings being attached by brass fasteners 43 inserted from the bottom side of the flap with the flexible ends of the fasteners bent over the top sheet of the drawings. This permits the drawings to be readily removed if necessary. The drawings are preferably positioned so that they are face up when the flap is in the position of Fig. 5 in orderthat they may be easily read.

The correspondence 44 is attached to the under side of the flap 33 as illustrated in Fig.

5, the attachment bein by usual fasteners 45 which are inserted rom the to side of flap 33, the heads of the fasteners ing beneath the drawings 42. The correspondence is preferably arranged in chronological order with the first letter next to the flap and the others following in the order of their dates. It will be apparent that when the flap 33 is turned to the right from Fig. 5 to the position of Fig. 7, the correspondence will be in readable position with the letter of most recent date on top. Subsequent letters may be easily added by simply straightening the ends of the fasteners 45 and putting the letters in position over the fasteners and bending the ends down again. The distance between the scoring lines 31 and 32 is slightly greater than the distance between the lines 24 and 25 in order that the flap 33 may fold over the flap 26 nicely when the drawings 42 are attached to it. The manner in which the flaps nest together is clearly illustrated in Figs. 7 and 9. It is not absolutely necessary to have separate fasteners for attaching the drawings and the correspondence to the flap 33 as one set can be used but, in such event, it is necessary to remove the correspondence when it was desired to remove the drawings, or vice versa depending upon the side from which the fasteners are inserted. Inasmuch as the drawings are seldom removed a convenient way of fastening both sets of papers to the flap 33 by one set of fasteners is to put the fasteners in from the top as viewed in Fig. 5, using the three holes 34. With this arrangement correspondence may be added without disturbing the drawings. When two sets of fasteners are used it is, of course, understood that the heads of the fasteners 45 that attach the correspondence are under the drawings 42 and the heads of the fasteners 43 that attach the drawings are between the correspondence 44' and the flap 33. These heads being quite flat do not interfere with the papers lying down neat and flat.

The oflice actions 45 are attached to the under side of the flap 22 as illustrated in Fig. 5 by fasteners 46 which are preferably inserted from the bottom side as illustrated. As new oflice actions are received they are placed on top of the old ones in order that the last oifice action may be on top when the papers are in the open osition of Fig. 5. The attaching of new 0 cc actions requires that the ends of the fasteners 46 be bent together and the group of ofiice actions removed from the flap 22 after which the new oflice action is placed on top of the old ones and the papers are again attached to the flap 22 by inserting the fasteners 46 through the holes 23 and spreading the ends of the fasfasten the ofiice actions on top of the flap 22 as viewed in Fig. 5 with the fasteners exteners. It would, of course, be possible to tending from the bottom toward the top in which event a new office action could be placed on top of the old ones without doing anything other than pressing the ends of the 5 fasteners 46 to ether and inserting them into the holes of t e new ofiice action, but it is found that the file is neater in appearance if the office actions are attached as illustrated.

There is also the further advantage that the edge of the flap 22 offers a straight line edge over which the office actions can be folded.

The patents cited against the application or any other loose sketches or papers 47 that belong to the file may be inserted in the pocket 38 between the center portion 14 and the part 20 of the file (Figs. 5 and 8). These papers may be easily inserted and removed from right-hand opening to the pocket and they will not slip out at the left-hand side for reasons already explained.

Some of the numerous advantages of this file folder are as follows:

In the first place the important papers of the file, namely, the specification with amendments, oflice actions, drawings, and the correspondence are all held securely and neatly in position. The specification with its amendments is in book form so that it may be easily and conveniently read. The oflice actions are in book form reading from the bottom up. The drawings are held securely in position and in proper order. The correspondence is in chronological order so that any letter may be easily found. This fastening of the papers in position prevents them from getting lost and avoids the usual waste of time that occurs when a loose file has to be clawed through to find particular papers.

The papers are attached toward the center of the folder and not to flaps on the outside edges of the covers. This means that the weight of the papers is toward the center of the folder and if one ofthe covers such as a desk or table the folder will not flop open as it would if the papers were on flaps on the outside edges of the folder. The folder can thus not only be more conveniently handled about a desk but it is also neater when folded together because the papers all nest together nicely with the bulk near the bottom of the folder.

A most important advantage of the folder is that, when it is open, the papers are in convenient position for examination. For example, the specification is at the center of the open folder as illustrated in Fig. 5. The last ofiice action is immediately to the right. The drawings are immediately to the left. A user can refer to the specification without disturbing the oflice actions and vice versa. This en ables him to refer to a particular part of an office action and then refer to the correspond- 65 ing part of the specification which may be Her 13 happens to extend over the edge of immediately opposite. If it is necessary to refer to the drawings they are readily available at the left. In other words, all his work is in open position before him. If it is necessary to refer to the second page of an office action the first page can be turned over and put under the specification so that the second page of the oflice action is on top, permitting the attorney to refer to the various paragraphs on the second page of the oflice action which will be opposite the specification. If it is necessary to refer to the correspondence this may be done by sim ply turning over the flap 33 whereupon the correspondence appears in chronological order with the last letter on top, (Fig. 7).

Another important advantage is that a pocket is provided-for receiving loose patents, sketches, etc., so that these things do not fall out of the file and become lost. The pocket that is provided is one that tends to hold the loose papers in place owing to the fact that the construction is such that the tendeney is for the portion 20 to hug the center portion 14 of the main body of the folder. Furthermore, there are always some papers on top of the cover 20 of the pocket, such as a specification which place a certain amount of weight on the top 20 tending-to press it against the patents, etc., in the pocket. It has been found in practice that loose papers in the pocket will not fall out and that the file may be handled quite carelessly without danger of losing any of them. This is a very great convenience and contributes very materially to enabling the file to be kept in an extremely neat manner.

By reference to Fig. 8 it will be observed that access to the pocket 38 may be had without unfolding the papers and without unfold- 105 ing the cover portion 13. This is a great convenience in that it allows a file clerk to insert copies of patents as they arrive without taking the file all apart. All that it is necessary to do is to lift the file out of the file cabinet,

raise the cover 11 and insert the patents in the pocket 38.

As the fileis closed. the ofiice actions may be folded over the specification, or un-. der it as desired, after which the drawings and correspondence are folded over as shown in Fig. 7 all the parts being proportioned so as to nest neatly together as illustrated. The cover 13 is then folded over and the outside cover 11 folded down which closes the file and puts it in the condition illustrated in Fig. 9 for placing in a file cabinet. Suitable printed matter may be printed on the outside of the cover 11, such printed matter varying with the requirements of the user of the file. The distance between the scorings 10 and 15 is preferably such that bristol board patent drawings can be placed loosely on top of the papers in the folderv when said papers are-in the position shown in Fig. 7

An additional advantage is that the bot tom of the file folder is thicker than the top which enables the user to always tell which is the bottom and top of the file. This thick bottom edge also serves as a. sort of base to enable the file to stand in position. Also, since the tops of the files are thinner than the bottoms, the top of the files are separated when the files are in a cabinet. This is a great convenience as it enables the file numbers and other data at the top of the files to be easily read.

It will be apparent that the file may be used for other purposes than for receiving the papers that go with a patent application. For example, litigation papers may be attached to the file, the pleadings of the plaintifl' being attached to the flap 26 and the pleadings of the defendant being attached to the flap 22. The correspondence may then be attached to the flap 33 and if there are any exhibit drawings or photographs these may be attached to flap 33 the same as drawings of a patent application. Loose papers may be inserted in the pocket 38.

It has been found that the pocket formed by constructing a file as heretofore described is suificient to accommodate all loose papers that occur in the ordinary file. If it should be found necessary to have a. pocket of larger size the construction may be modified by making the flaps 17 and 18 with a bellows fold as illustrated in Fig. 10. In such event the flaps 17 and 18 are made-wider and scored along the lines 51 and 52 so that the portion 20 of the folder will be farther away from the main body 14 thereby giving a pocket 38 of greater capacity. Also. the rivets 36 and 37 are not put through the portion 14 of the cover as this would tend to hold the part 20 close to the part 14:. The rivets are passed through only the flaps 17 and 18, the portion 20, and a part of the flap 33. If it is desired to close the left-hand side of the pocket 38, the flap 33 may be provided with a bellows extension similar to that described for the flaps 17 and 18 as shown in Fig. 11. This extension is formed by using more material and scoring along the lines 53 and 54. This leaves a strip 55 that may be either pasted to the center portion 14 of the folder or riveted thereto as may be convenient. It will, of course, be understood that if a larger capacity pocket is provided the covers 11 and 13 must be correspondingly scored so that they will fold over the pocket when it is expanded.

Fig. 12 shows a modified constructlon of the flap 33 in which the flap portion is divided into three parts. The middle part 60 has two holes in it and is adapted to receive the correspondence while the two other portions 61 and 62 each have one hole in them and are adapted to receive the drawings. This enables the drawings and the correspondence to be separated even more distinctly than in the construction heretofore described although the flap itself is not as rigid as in the first-described construction.

Although the method of making the file already described is believed to be the simplest and best, it is possible to construct the file in quite a number of different ways without departing from the essential features and advantages of the file folder. For example, a construction may be adopted such as illustrated in Fig. 13.

Fig. 13 illustrates a construction in which the body of the folder is made out of a rectangular piece of material which is scored as previously explained but instead of using the flaps 17 and 18, a pocket-forming piece of material is attached to the center portion 14 of the folder. This pocket portion 70 has flaps on all four of its edges. The two end flaps 71 and the left-hand side flap 72 are bellows-shaped and turned down and fastened to the center portion 14: of the folder. The right-hand side flap 73 is bent upward to form a flap to receive oflice actions. A flap 74 is then pasted on top of the pocket portion 70 at the left-hand edge to form a flap to receive specifications. If a pocket of less capacity is wanted the end flaps 71 and the left-hand side flap 72 need not be bellows-shaped. In such event the flap 72 can be turned up and used for specifications as it is not necessary to close the left-hand side of the pocket. In this construction a flap 75 is pasted to the cover 13 of the main body of the folder to receive correspondence and drawings. While this modification enables the papers to be securely held in position it is not, at the present time, the preferred method of making the folder.

Fig. 14 illustrates another modification in which both the top and the bottom of the pocket 38 are made of one piece. The rectangular piece of material out of which the main portion of the folder is made has end flaps 17 and 18 but instead ofhaving the left-hand end of this sheet of material form the cover 13, the paper is scored and-folded over so that the left-hand end of the main body of material forms the top cover 20 for the pocket. This cover is cut out at and folded back so as to form a flap 81, an open space 82 being left in the pocket. This opening is not detrimental because the top 20 of the pocket 38 is usually covered by papers such as a specification of a patent application so that the pocket is actually closed when the file is in use. A flap 83 is formed on the right-hand side of the portion 20 to take oflice actions or similar papers. The left-hand cover 13 is made of a separate rectangular piece which is attached to the body of the folder either by being pasted or riveted directly to it or by being attached through the medium of a piece of linen cloth 84 that forms a flexible durable attachment. The correspondence may be attached directly to the cover without the provision of a flap by means of a fastener 85 or if a flap is desired one may be attached to the inner side of the cover as illustrated at 86 in Fig. 14.

Other methods of constructing the file may be employed, the above modifications having been described in order to indicate how the details of construction can be changed, it being understood that the embodiments of the invention shown are for purposes of illustration and that variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A file folder-comprising a body having a central portion with two side portions hinged thereto forming covers foldable over said central portion, a pocket member connected to said central portion to form a pocket to receive loose papers, and a paperholding means at each side edge of said pocket member to which papers may be attached so as to lie on'the outside of said pocket, said cover portions being foldable over said papers.

2. A file folder comprising a body having a central portion with two side ortions hinged thereto forming covers folda 1e over said central portion, a pocket member connected at its ends to said central portion to form a pocket to receive loose papers, and flexible flaps on the two side edges of said pocket member to which papers may be attached so as to lie on the outside of said pocket, said cover portions folding over the,

papers when so positioned.

3. A file folder comprising a body having a central portion with two side portions hin ed thereto forming covers foldable over sai central portion, flaps on the ends of said central portion, and a pocket member positioned on the inside of said central portion and attached to said flaps, said pocket member having flaps on its side edges to which papers may be attached;

4. A file folder comprising a body having a central portion with two side portions hinged thereto forming covers foldable over said central portion, a pocket member connected at its ends with said central portion and having flaps on its side edges for the receipt of papers, and a third flap adjacent the left-hand edge of said pocket portion for the receipt of another set of papers.

5. A file folder comprising a body having a central portion with two side portions hin ed thereto forming covers foldable over sai central portion. said central portion having flaps on its ends, a pocket member positioned on top of said central portion and attached to said flaps, said pocket member having flaps on its side edges to which papers may be attached, and another paper-receiving flap attached to said central portion and extending to a'position adjacent one of the flaps on the sides of said pocket member.

6. A file folder comprising a body having a central portion and two side portions forming covers foldable over said central portion, flaps on the ends of said central portion, a pocket member positioned on top of said central portion and connected to said flaps, said pocket member having flaps on its side edges to which papers may be attached, a third flap positioned adjacent one of the side edges of said pocket member, and means for securing said pocket member, said third flap and said central portion together near the ends of said central portion at the side edge thereof where said third flap is positioned.

7. A file folder comprising a body having a central portion and two side portions forming covers foldable over said central portion, a pocket member attached at its ends to said central portion and having flaps on its two side edges for the receipt of papers, another flap positioned at the left hand side of said pocket portion, andsecurin means holding said pocket portion, said other flap and said central portion together at points near the ends of the left-hand edge of said central portion.

8. A file folder comprising a body having a central portion and two side portions forming covers foldable over said central portion, flaps on the ends of said central portion, a pocket member positioned on top of said central portion and attached to sald flaps, said pocket portion having hinged flaps on its side edges to which papers may be attached, the flaps on the ends of said central portion extendlng adjacent the bends in the flaps on the sides of the pocket member to reinforce the latter to prevent tearing at the corners.

9. A file folder having a central portion and a pocket member forming a pocket for receiving loose papers, a flap adjacent the bottom of said pocket to which papers may be attached so as to lie on the top of said pocket, a second flap adjacent the first to receive papers so that they may lie on the first set of papers, a cover foldable over said flap and closed said papers are above said central portion, a second flap mounted adjacent the hinge ofthe other cover portion, said second flap being adapted to have papers attached to its under side so that said papers are normally above said central portion but may be turned over the second cover portion to permit attachment of additional papers, and a third flap mounted adjacent the second flap, said third flap being adapted to have papers attached to each side of it.

11. A file folder of the class described comprising a body having a central portion with a cover portion hinged to each of its sides, a pocket member connected to said central portion to form a pocket having a side opening to receive loose papers, and a paper-holding means supported adjacent each of the hinges of said cover portions to which means papers may be attached so that they may lie over said central portion when said file is closed, said cover portions being foldable over said central portion to cover said papers and close the opening to said pocket.

12. A file folder comprising a body having a central portion with two side portions hinged thereto forming covers foldable over said central portion, said covers having substantially the same area as said central portion and one cover being foldable over the other, a pocket member attached to said central portion and forming with it a pocket having a side opening for receiving loose papers, the area of said pocket member being substantially equal to that of said central portion, and a paper-holding means adjacent each side of said central portion to which papers may be attached so that they may lie over said pocket, said side portions covering said papers and closing said pocket opening when the file is closed.

13. A file folder having a body provided with a pocket for receiving loose papers, a paper-holding means hinged adjacent the bottom of said pocket to which papers may be attached to lie on top of said pocket, a second paper-holding means hinged adjacent the bottom of said pocket so that papers attached to it mav be on top of the first set, a third paperholding means hinged adjacent the top of said pocket so that papers attached to it may lie under or over the first two sets, a hinged cover foldable over said papers from the bottom of said pocket, and a second hinged cover foldable over the first cover from the top of said pocket.

14.- A file holder of the class described comprising a body having a central portion with a coverhinged to each of its side edges, each of said covers being of approximately the same area assaid central portion but being )f sufiiciently less width to permit one of said portions to be folded over the other, a flap mpported by said central portion adjacent he hinge of one of said covers, said flap being hinged so that papers attached thereto may lie over said cover or over said central portion, a second flap supported by said central portion adjacent the hinge of said other cover, said second flap being hinged so that papers attached to it may lie over said second cover or over said central portion, both of said flaps being constructed and positioned so that the papers attached to either flap may swing inside the opposite flap when the papers are folded over said central portion, and a third hinged fiap supported by said central portion adjacent one of said other flaps.

15. A file folder of the class described comprising a central body portion having a pocket member associated therewith forming a pocket having a side opening for receiving loose papers, a hinged flap adjacent the bottom of said pocket to which loose papers may be detachably attached, said flap being positioned so .that the papers attached thereto may be folded over on top of said pocket or swung away therefrom to a position parallel with the plane of the folder when open in flat position, a hinged cover foldable over said papers from the bottom of said pocket, and a second hinged cover foldable over the opening of said pocket and over said first cover to close said file folder.

16. A file folder having a central body portion, a pocket member cooperating with said central portion to form a pocket having a side opening, a hinged paper holding means adjacent the bottom of said pocket for detach: ably receiving loose lie over said pocket member, a hinged paper holding means supported by said pocket member adjacent and above said pocket opening for detachably receiving loose papers so that they may lie over said pocket member, a third hinged paper holding means supported adjacent the bottom of said pocket for detachably receiving loose papers so'that they may lie over the papers held by said first paper holding means, a cover hinged to said central portion at-the side edge thereof adjacent the bottom of said pocket, said cover being foldable over the first and third mentioned paper holding means and over the paper on all of said paper holding means when said papers are over said pocket and a second-cover hinged to the other side of said central portion and foldable over said pocket opening and said first cover.

17 A file folder having a central body portion, a pocket member cooperating with said central portion to form a pocket having a side opening, a hinged paper holding means adjacent the bottom of'said pocket for detachably receiving loose papers so that they may lie over said pocket member, a hinged paper holding means supported by said pocket member atjacent and above said pocket opening for detachably receiving loose papers so that they may lie over said pocket member, a cover papers so that they may hinged to said central portion at the side edge adjacent the bottom of said pocket, said cover being foldable over said first paper holding ,ineans and over the papers on both of said paper holding means when the papers are positioned over said pocket, and a second cover hinged to the other side edge of said central portion and foldable over said pocket opening and said first cover.

18. A file folder of the class described comprising a central body portion, a base portion having one of its side edges connected to one of the side edges of said central portion, said base portion extending substantially at right angles to said central portion, a cover portion hinged to the other side edge of said base portion and foldable over said central portion, paper holding means on the inside of said folder adjacent said base portion adapted to detachably receive loose papers so that they may lie over said central portion or be swung away therefrom to a position substantially parallel with the plane of the folder when open, and a second cover portion hinged to the other side edge of said central portion and foldable over said first cover, whereby, when said file folder is closed, it has a flat base and sides converging from said base to a narrow top.

19. A file folder of the class described com' prising a central body portion, a base portion having one of its side edges connected to one of the side edges of said central portion, said base portion extending substantially at right angles to said central portion, a cover portion hinged to the other side edge of saidbase portion and foldable over said central portion, a pocket member forming a pocket on the inside of said folder having its opening at the side opposite said base portion, a paper holding means on the inside of said folder adj acent said base for detachably receiving loose papers, and a second cover portion hinged to the other side edge of said central portion and foldable over said first cover portion to close said pocket, whereby, when said file folder is closed, it has a flat base and sides converging from said base to a narrow top.

20. A file folder of the class described comprising a central body portion, a paper holding flap attached to said central portion near one side edge thereof, said flap extending substantially at right angles to said central portion for a short distance and then extending substantially parallel to said central portion, a base portion having one of its side edges connected to the side edge of said central portion adjacent said flap, said base portion extending outside of said flap and substantially at right angles to said central portion, a cover hinged to the other side edge of said base portion and foldable over said central portion, a second paper holding flap hinged to said central portion near the other side edge thereof, and a second cover portion hinged to the other side edge of said central portion and foldable over said first cover portion, whereby, when said file folder is closed, it

has a base and sides converging from said base to a narrow top.

21. A file folder of the class described comprising a central body portion, a pocket member cooperating with said central portion to form a pocket having aside opening, a paper holding flap adjacent the bottom of said pocket, said flap extending substantially at right angles to said central portion for a short distance and then extending substantially parallel to said central portion and being adapted to detachably receive loose papers, a base portion attached to said central portion adjacent said flap, said base portion extending substantially at right angles to said central portion, a cover hinged to said base portion and foldable over said flap and said pocket member, a second flap hinged to said pocket member adjacent the opening of said pocket and adapted to detachably receive loose papers, and a second cover hinged to said central portion near said pocket opening, said second cover being foldable over said pocket opening and over said first cover.

22. A file folder of the class described comprising a central body portion, a pocket member cooperating with said central portion to form a pocket having a side opening, a paper holding flap adjacent the bottom of said pocket, said flap extending substantially at right angles to said central portion for a short distance and then extending substantially parallel with said central portion and being adapted to detachably receive loose papers, a second paper holding flap adjacent the first, said second flap extending substantially at right'angles to said central portion and then extending substantially parallel thereto and being adapted to detachably receive loose papers, a base portion connected to said central portion and extending substantially at right angles thereto outside of said second flap, a cover hinged to said base and foldable over said flaps and said pocket member, a third flap hinged to said pocket member adjacent said pocket opening and adapted to detachably receive loose papers, and a second cover hinged to said central portion and foldable over said pocket open ing, said third flap and said first cover.

23;. A file folder of the class described havlng a central portion .of substantial area, a pocket member over said central portion forming a pocket having 'a side opening, paper-holding means adjacent the bottom of said pocket for detachably holding loose papers in book fashion so that they may lie over said central portion and with provisions for enabling papers to be readily added from time to time without disturbing the papers already held by said holding means, a second paper-holding means adjacent the bottom of said pocket for detachably receiving loose papers with provisions for enabling the papers to occupy a position at the side of the papers held by said first-named holding 4 means or to be swung thereover, a paperholding means adjacent the top of said pocket for detachably receiving papers in book fashion with provisions for enabling the papers to occupy a position at the side of the papers held by said first-named holding means or to be swung over the central portion of said folder, a cover hinged adjacent the bottom of said pocket to fold over the papers in said folder, and a second cover hinged adj a'cent the top of said pocket for folding over said pocket opening and over said first-named cover to close the file folder.

24. A file folder having a central portion of substantial area, a pocket member over said central portion forming a pocket having a side opening, a paper-holding means adjacent the bottom of said pocket for detachably holding loose papers in book fashion so that they may lie over, said central portion and with provisions for enabling papers to be added from time to time without disturbing the papers already held by said holding means, a second paper-holding means adjacent the bottom of said pocket for detachably 39 holding a set of papers such as drawings and for holding a second set of papers such as letters with provisions for enabling additional letters to be added from time to time without disturbing those already held and for enabling all the papers to occupy a position at the side of the papers held by said first-named holding means or to be swung thereover, a paper-holding means adjacent the top of said pocket for detachably holding loose papers in book fashion but reading from bottom to top with provisions for enabling additional papers to be added from time to time without disturbing those already held and for enabling the papers to occupy 4 a position at the side of the papers held by said first-named holding means or to be swung over the central portion of said folder, a cover hinged adjacent the bottom of said pocket for folding over the papers in said 5 folder, and a cover hinged adjacent the top of said pocket for folding over said pocket opening and over said first cover to close said file folder.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

1201! o. SHONTS. 

